They are converting a Church into a Masjid in Venice

In the name of art a former Italian church that has been converted into Venice city centre’s first Masjid plans to open its doors on Saturday – despite security concerns.

The church of Santa Maria della Misericordia in Venice, which closed to worshippers 40 years ago, has been transformed into a Masjid as part of the Venice Biennale, the world’s most high-profile showcase of contemporary art.

Designed by the politically subversive Swiss artist Christoph Büchel, Iceland’s entry to the art exhibition, “The Mosque”, seeks to challenge attitudes towards Islam. During its seven month duration it will be the only mosque in Venice city centre.

But police sources in Venice have told Channel 4 News that they are concerned about potential “public order” issues and offending “sensitivities”.

“There are tens of thousands of Muslim tourists coming through Venice every month, who wonder why there is no mosque, in a city where you can see Islamic history with your eyes,” Mohamed Amin Al Ahdab, president of the Islamic Community of Venice, told the New York Times.

Venetian history

As an independent republic that existed for more than 1,000 years, Venice spent centuries trading and clashing with the Ottoman Empire as it competed for control of the eastern Mediterranean. It eventually inflicted a crushing defeat on the Turkish fleet at the Battle of Lepanto in Greece in 1571.

Five hundred years on, while the region has a more tolerant attitude towards immigrants than other parts of Italy, Mr Buchel’s work comes at a time of renewed tensions.

Earlier this year a proposal by Qatar to build a museum of Islamic cultural centre enar the Rialto Bridge was met with opposition from the right-wing Northern League party. More recent suggestions that Isis militants from Libyan could make their way into Europe through the country has done little to ease tensions.

Nonetheless those behind the work believe it is necessary to facilitate greater dialogue at time in which tensions are sweeping through Western Europe. It has been commissioned by Iceland, a country with one of the lowest immigration rates in the Western world.

Björg Stefánsdóttir, director of the Icelandic Art Center and commissioner of the Icelandic Pavilion, said the work was designed to “promote dialogue and communion among cultures, so much needed at home and abroad”.

Other transformations

The concept of converting a religious building built for one faith for use by another is nothing new. And it can cause friction.

Earlier this year five former mayors of Cordoba accused the Catholic Church of wrongly claiming ownership of the Mezquita, the city’s Unesco-listed cathedral, as part of a continuing effort to stamp out the site’s Muslim past.
The cathedral, consecrated in the 13th century after the Moors were driven from the city, was built in the centre of a huge mosque that was once among Islam’s holiest sites.

In December, Andalusia’s regional government complained to the Vatican that cathedral officials’ use of the term “the Cordoba cathedral”, on its website and in literature, amounted to an attempt to whitewash the site’s pre-Christian history.

Like this:

ICN Media Team is responsible for bringing best of content from around the web curated for you to understand Islam better.
It is run by editors and writers. We look forward to hearing your stories and see what you have to share. If you see us around town, don't be afraid to say hi and tell us what you want to see on ImaanCentral !

POPULAR CATEGORY

ImaanCentral Network is a Muslim Youth initiative for building a community which represents Islam with all its core values. We forsee a vibrant mix of community based on the values of harmony, tolerance, respect and submission to our Lord.
We aspire to create future leaders from within the Muslim community who can lead us to a better future where Islam is celebrated and not denounced.
We aim to serve the community through sustainable educational and economic models. Our ambitious projects are being designed to help Young Muslim Writers, Thinkers, Designers & Entrepreneurs with comprehensive tools and platforms for serving the community with Content and Products that bring about a change in the lives of millions.